The first day of the Health 2000 New Zealand Surfing Nationals got called off after the first four heats yesterday. A looming southerly storm was downing trees in Southland and making a beeline for Dunedin. The 4m swell was forecast to rise to 8m offshore by evening and the wind was estimated to be around 45km/h with gusts to 90km/h at times. Not very summery. But a great forecast for some storm chasing in the Catlins. Well, so thought New Zealand's elite surf community.
What unfolded in the Catlins was nothing short of a three-hour long super heat among New Zealand's best surfers. Olympic hope Billy Stairmand led out the charge with a supporting cast that included recent NZ Surf Series winner Paul Moretti, World Qualifying Series campaigners Elliot Paerata-Reid and Daniel Farr, Piha phenom Dune Kennings, local charger Jamie Civil and some of the old dogs ... like Bugsy Malone. He's made the Ledge at Raglan his home and it translated beautifully to the Catlins-style of storm barrels. Joining them were a bunch of young guns vying for a piece of the pie: Caleb Cutmore, Kora Cooper and a swarm of other rising stars.
Sea lions scurried about the lineup and a procession of broken boards ended aspirations. By the time the tide had run its course nearly everyone had a tale to tell. It was one of those magic sessions that will long be remembered as kicking off the 2020 New Zealand Surfing Nationals in style.
See you at the beach ... Derek
PS You can check out all the action each day at the Health 2000 New Zealand Surf Nationals right from the comfort of the St Clair Esplanade. Or check the South Coast Boardriders Association Facebook page for full details right here. There are heaps of fun evening entertainment events on, too.
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